Facelift Surgery FAQ

Posted on July 22, 2014 by admindrv

Facelift Surgery | Plastic Surgeon Northern Virginia | Loundon | Fairfax The facelift can be a complex plastic surgery procedure because a human’s face has several intricate features that must be handled carefully. Dr. V addresses various doubts and concerns during the initial consultation for patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding communities. Here is a list of facelift FAQ that should address some of the common queries of patients with regard to this procedure.

When is it suitable to go out in the sun after a facelift?

Direct sun exposure should be avoided for several months after a facelift. If the healing scars exposed to direct sunlight, it can cause darkening of the healing area or hyper pigmentation. The sun can cause damage to the delicate post-surgical skin on a long-term basis, creating deeper facial lines and a more leathery skin appearance. The patient should wear sunblock SPF 15 or higher for the first few months when going out in the sun.

What is the suitable age for a facelift?

A facelift is typically performed on patients in the age group of 35 to 65. The idea age to perform a facelift may be 35 to 50 when the skin elasticity is stellar. In this age group, patients usually opt for a combination of facelift and liposuction. Younger patients can benefit from a maintenance lift to delay the onset of conspicuous aging signs.

Will there the hairline be in a different location after a facelift?

This can depend on an individual case and the particular surgical technique employed by the surgeon. Dr. V usually ensures that the hairline does not change for her patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and other areas.

Will it be necessary to place drains after a facelift?

Drains may be placed in some cases to remove excessive blood and fluid after a facelift. If the procedure is extensive, and takes two to three hours or more, placing a drain may be necessary. Compressive garment can be used in many cases to help prevent the accumulation of fluid.

Is it possible to have a very minor facelift?

A mini facelift surgery can be recommended if the patient wants a maintenance procedure, and does not suffer from significant facial skin laxity. The mini facelift will usually involve reduction of excess skin, but not the lifting of underlying deeper tissue.

What is the expected recovery period?

Most patients will experience mild bruising and swelling for the first week. The patient may be able to go back to work within 10 to 14 days. After this period, regular activities and exercise can be resumed. However, heavy lifting and strenuous activities that cause a pull on the neck should be avoided for about four to six weeks.

What about the healing of scars?

An experienced plastic surgeon will place the incisions in discreet areas to keep the scars inconspicuous. Scars will mature within a period of six months to a year after the surgery. The healing of scars can vary from one patient to another, depending on individual healing characteristics.

For more infomation please contact Dr. V. Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, known to her patients as “Dr. V,” is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing the latest surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures in Northern Virginia, Leesburg, Loudoun, Fairfax, Warrenton, Fauquier, Arlington, Manassas, Middleburg, Prince William, and other areas. https://thevirginiainstitute.com/contact-us/

Best Rhinoplasty (Nose Job Surgery) Recovery

Posted on July 12, 2014 by admindrv

Nose job surgery, clinically called rhinoplasty, is an intricate procedure. The nature and extent of surgery can vary from one patient to another in rhinoplasty. Therefore, the recovery process can also differ in each case.

Dr. V is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing rhinoplasty and other procedures to patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding locations. Dr. V will discuss the recovery process with her patients during the initial consultation.

Initial Period of Recovery

Mild pain and discomfort around the treated area will be experienced for the first few days. Some patients may also experience a dull headache for a brief period. Unless the patient suffers from an infection, severe pain may not occur. Pain medications prescribed by the plastic surgeon can keep the patient comfortable. Nasal congestion is a typical occurrence following a nose job because of the internal swelling in the nose.

The congestion will disappear as the swelling resolves over the next few weeks. Patients with a complaint of breathing difficulty through the nostrils prior to the surgery will most likely experience immediate relief despite the swelling. In some cases, the surgeon may prescribe sleep aid drugs, if the nasal congestion makes it difficult to sleep.

Nose blowing should be avoided until the surgeon allows it. The extent of bruising and swelling in each case will also depend on what surgical technique was adopted for the procedure and how delicately the surgeon handled the nasal tissue.

Returning to Work

In most cases, the patients will be ready to go back to work within a week to 10 days after the surgery. Most patients will have a cast on the nose during the first week, which will be removed along with the stitches at the end of the first week. Mild bruising and swelling will still show during the second week, but the patient may apply makeup to tone down the appearance of the treated area.

Face should be washed and cleaned gently for the first few days. Jobs involving excess physical activity should be avoided for about two weeks. Dr. V will guide her patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and other areas about various aspects of the recovery.

Final Stages of Recovery

A large part of the swelling will get resolved by the end of the third week after rhinoplasty. The patient will be able to notice conspicuous improvements in the shape or size of the nose. However, more detailed outcomes will become noticeable only after about two months when nearly 90 percent of the swelling will have disappeared.

During the initial few weeks, the nasal tip may feel a little numb, which can make the patient more self-conscious. More natural effects will appear with the passage of time, and the complete natural feeling about the nose will return. Results in case of rhinoplasty will last for many years, and may even be permanent in several cases.

Need Areas of Skin Tightened for Summer? Try Ultherapy…

Posted on July 1, 2014 by admindrv

WHAT IS ULTHERAPY?

Ultherapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses ultrasound to actually lift loose or sagging skin on the neck, under the chin and above the eyebrow without any downtime. Read more

Your Northern Virginia Facial Plastic Surgeon

Posted on June 26, 2014 by admindrv

Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, popularly known as “Dr. V,” is a board certified facial plastic surgeon of repute. Dr. V heads the Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts located in Chantilly, Virginia. Patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and other areas have an opportunity to receive state of the art plastic surgery procedures from Dr. V.

Academic Achievements and Certifications

Dr. V has earned board certifications from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. She is recognized among a select group of board certified facial plastic surgeons that have excellent not only in terms of cosmetic surgery training and clinical experience, but also have also stayed ahead by adopting advanced technologies, surgical techniques and through continuing education.

Dr. V graduated summa cum laude in Chemistry, and received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. She pursued further medical training in Internal Medicine at the University of California, followed by residency training in Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery) at the University of Minnesota. She was then chosen for a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA.

Awards and Honors

In addition to her plastic surgery practice for patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding areas, Dr. V also focuses on writing and teaching. She is a sought after lecturer and the author of several journal articles in the field of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery. She has received the following awards and honors in recognition of her contributions to the field of facial plastic surgery:

Humanitarian Travel Grant Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Albert Hohmann Resident Research Award
Resident Awards, University of Minnesota Medical School, Dept of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Clarence Petersen Scholarship

Commitment and Dedication

What distinguishes Dr. V’s personality, apart from her professional accomplishments, is her complete dedication and commitment to achieving the best results for her patients. She adopts a highly compassionate and personalized approach to treatment. She is known for respecting the individuality of a patient and provides individualized solutions.

She has an innate ability to understand the unique aesthetic needs and aspirations of a patient, which helps her to achieve the highest satisfaction levels for her patients in the end. The stellar combination of technical prowess and artistic talent makes Dr. V an excellent facial plastic surgeon. She enjoys a very high reputation in her field among both her patients and her peers.

Providing a Caring Environment

Dr. V has ensured that her practice follows the highest standards of plastic surgery, and provides an environment of personalized care to every patient. The Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts reflects all the inherent qualities and attributes of Dr. V’s personality. The goal of the practice is not just to improve the overall appearance of patients, but also to improve their overall lives and make a positive impact on their personality.

How Much Does Fraxel Skin Resurfacing Treatment Cost?

Posted on June 17, 2014 by admindrv

Fraxel laser skin rejuvenation treatments have become increasingly popular in recent years with FDA clearances and advanced technologies with highly effective results. Dr. V provides a range of Fraxel anti-aging treatments to her patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding areas.

Dr. V will discuss various aspects of the treatment during the initial consultation, including the estimated costs of the procedure. Patients can compare the costs of Fraxel laser treatment with alternative procedures and make informed choices as per their aesthetic needs.

Cost Comparison with Surgery

Facial skin rejuvenation surgical procedures such as facelift can be significantly more expensive compared to a Fraxel laser treatment. In the long run, the surgical treatment is likely to be more sustainable and cost-effective, but every patient may not be ready to spend a substantial amount on an elective procedure. Fraxel treatments do not involve general anesthesia or IV sedation, which is typically a part of a cosmetic surgery procedure.

Surgery may involve higher costs in terms of the plastic surgeon’s fee and operating room charges or overnight stay at the hospital. Additional expenses such as medical tests, prescription drugs, surgical garments, and other related expenses may also be involved. All these expenses get avoided in a non-surgical procedure such as Fraxel skin rejuvenation.

Location of the Practice

The cost of Fraxel treatment may vary from one practice to another, and also from one patient to another. The cost of living index will differ from place to place, which can influence the average cost of various goods and services, including aesthetic treatments.

For instance, the cost of Fraxel treatment in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and nearby areas may not be the same as the cost in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Nature and Extent of Treatment

Fraxel laser skin treatment may involve ablative approach or non-ablative approach. Each approach will involve a different type of Fraxel treatment, varying in terms of intensity, treatable area to be covered, and the number of treatments needed. Fraxel Repair is the most aggressive treatment, which can help achieve significant improvement for severely damaged skin. Fraxel Re:store is a relatively less aggressive treatment to improve mild to moderately damaged skin.

The cost of each treatment type will vary. The number of treatments required may usually vary between three and six. The cost will be calculated on a per treatment basis, or on a package rate, depending on the situation. The treatment may involve only a part of the face, or may include full face and neck or other areas. The overall cost of treatment will be determined after taking into account all these factors.

Average Cost

The average cost of a single Fraxel Re:store treatment for the face may be in the range of $1,500. A total number of four treatments may be necessary to achieve the best results. Aggressive treatments with Fraxel Re:pair may cost a little more. When the treatment is sought as a part of a package, the total cost may be reduced.

Fraxel before and after photos provided by http://www.fraxel.com/

Fraxel Laser Technology Non-surgical Anti-aging Solution

Posted on June 10, 2014 by admindrv

Fraxel laser technology has revolutionized the field of non-surgical anti-aging solutions. Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen (Dr. V) provides this technology for her patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding areas. The Virginia Institute of Surgical Arts, led by Dr. V, is equipped with state of the art fractional laser technologies, including Fraxel.

Proven Laser Technology

Fraxel is one of the most popular, complete, and tremendous laser technologies to make the skin smoother and reduce the signs of aging without invasive surgery. The procedure is widely accepted by anti-aging experts as well as patients in more than a 100 countries around the world. An estimated one million Fraxel procedures have been performed until date, and the safety record has been exemplary.

The technology is designed to reverse the visible effects of aging, while avoiding the potential risks and side effects as well as prolonged recovery period that may accompany a surgical procedure. Dr. V is an experienced provider of Fraxel laser treatment. She will evaluate the patient’s unique genetic make-up and personal history and how it contributes to the appearance of the skin. She will then develop a customized treatment plan to match with the patient’s aesthetic needs and lifestyle.

Types of Fraxel Laser

Fraxel laser technology can be broadly classified into ablative and non-ablative techniques. The ablative technique is more aggressive and designed to achieve more dramatic outcomes. This technique disrupts the entire skin column, including the top layer of the skin. Non-ablative Fraxel technique involves a milder treatment approach. It will either spare the top layer of the skin column, or spare the deeper dermis, and not impact as deeply as the ablative treatment.

The Virginia Institute of Surgical Arts is equipped to provide three of the major Fraxel treatments, including Fraxel Re:pair, Fraxel Re:store and DUAL. All of these treatment options are safe and keep the patient comfortable during treatment. Fraxel technology avoids the risks and side effects typically associated with laser procedures. The downtime is reduced, and results are more effective compared to many other non-surgical treatments.

Versatility of the Fraxel treatments at Dr. V’s practice ensures that each patient can receive the most appropriate treatment suited to their skin condition. Patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive Fraxel solutions in a safe and friendly environment at The Virginia Institute of Surgical Arts.

Benefits

Fraxel DUAL treatment system has been cleared by the FDA to improve conditions such as wrinkles around the eyes, acne scars, surgical scars, age spots, brown spots, pigmented lesions, melasma, and pre-cancerous lesions. It is also effective in enhancing the tone and texture of the skin.

Fraxel Re:pair treatment is suited for patients in the age group of 30 to 70, who need to address deeper wrinkles and achieve firmer skin without surgery. This procedure has been cleared by the FDA to treat deeper wrinkles, lip lines, sagging skin in the face and neck, conspicuous photo damage, and irregular skin tone and texture.

Fraxel before and after photos provided by http://www.fraxel.com/

Give Dad a Younger Look as a Father’s Day Gift!

Posted on June 1, 2014 by admindrv

This Father’s Day, skip the necktie and give Dad an Ultherapy® treatment to help keep him looking his best! One treatment can lift and tighten skin on the neck and under the chin, so Dad can get back that chiseled look from his younger years!

About Cosmetic Surgery of the Face

Posted on May 30, 2014 by admindrv

Plastic surgery is very common these days as more and more people are becoming concerned with the way they look. Most people wish to improve the appearance of their face, so majority of the plastic surgery procedures available these days are concentrated on the face. However, plastic surgery of the face can have more of an impact on ones identity as well as one’s look because this can change the way a person looks. This is why you need to think long and hard before considering plastic surgery procedures of the face.

With any plastic surgery procedure, you need to make sure you have the best cosmetic surgeons like Dr Trang Vo-Nguyen to do the procedure for you. He has years of experience helping patients achieve their dream look in Chantilly, Manassas, Leesburg,Northern Virginia, Middleburg, Loudoun County, Prince William ,Fairfax, Fauquier, Arlington and Warrenton.

Common invasive cosmetic surgeries of the face

Plastic surgery of the face is usually irreversible, so you need to make sure that you get exactly what you asked for and this is what Dr Trang Vo-Nguyen does for his patients. One of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures is the eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty. This surgery is used to remove puffiness, fat deposits, excess skin and wrinkles around the lower and upper eyelids and the upper nasal bridge. This surgery is also often used to improve droopy eyelids.

Another popular plastic surgery for the face is a brow lift or forehead lift. With age, the skin on the forehead can develop wrinkles and sag. This can be corrected with brow lifts. The brow lift surgery often includes surgery on the forehead and eyebrows to life the whole are and reverse sagging to give patients a more youthful as well as rejuvenated look. Some people are also born with low brows that give them a deep frown. They can attain a more aesthetically pleasing look with a brow lift.

Otoplasty or ear reshaping is another popular plastic surgery procedure to reshape the ears to improve the look of one’s ears by correcting misshapen ears and other ear abnormalities. However, unlike most other plastic surgery procedures of the face, this surgery is best performed on kids between the ages of 4 and 14 who are born with abnormalities of the ear or have developed them due to accidents and injuries. Otoplasty is less common in adults and is mainly used to reshape the ears to achieve a desired look rather than to correct abnormalities.

Rhinoplasty and facelift

Rhinoplasty or a nose job is probably the most heard of plastic surgery procedure of the face. This procedure is used to correct abnormalities that cause breathing problems and to change the shape of the nose to give a more pleasing look. The bridge, nostrils and tips of the nose can be altered with Rhinoplasty.

A facelift or Rhytidectomy is another popular plastic surgery procedure that is mainly performed to reverse age-related sagging of the face. This surgery is almost exclusively performed on patients who are older and involves tightening the skin as well as removing excess fat.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Before and After Photos

Posted on May 22, 2014 by admindrv

What to Expect from Eyelid Surgery

It is quite obvious that before you decide to undergo blepharoplasty, you would like to know what to expect after the surgery. This is why eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) before and after photos can be so important. However, you need to be prepared as every surgical procedure can look a bit unpleasant right after the procedure is complete. Your doctor should be honest with you and show you different photos depicting the stages of recovery after surgery and the improvement in the looks of the patient.

Before the eyelid surgery

Photos taken immediately after the procedure will show swelling and redness around the site of surgery. This should progressively reduce once as time passes and your plastic surgeon should show you these photos too. Comparing the photos taken after the procedure and the ones taken before should show you exactly what the doctor has changed and how surgery has helped improve abnormalities as well as defects around the eyes. Before you undergo the surgery make sure to take pictures of your face and eyes and also document your recovery after the surgery to understand what has been changed. This will also help you show the doctor what you are happy and even unhappy with if you want additional blepharoplasty procedures.

However, as with every surgical procedure, there are risks and complications associated with eyelid surgery and you need to make sure that you have a great doctor like Dr Trang Vo-Nguyen to ensure that the surgery is a success. Whether you are in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas or Warrenton; Dr Trang Vo-Nguyen can ensure that your eyelid surgery does not involve any untoward complications and risks. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Before and After Photos

Eyelid surgery for cosmetic purposes

Blepharoplasty is conducted to improve the general appearance of the person by changing the way the eyelids and the surrounding areas look. Blepharoplasty involves the correction and modification of the upper and lower lids, the surrounding eyebrow areas and around the upper regions of the nasal bridge. The blepharoplasty procedure can make you eyes look more rejuvenated and youthful thereby making you look more relaxed and rested.

Before you can undergo a blepharoplasty procedure, you need to know exactly what can be achieved with this surgery. Any good plastic surgeon like Dr Trang Vo-Nguyen will explain what exactly can be done to improve your appearance and will show you eyelid surgery before and after photos of previous patients to give you an idea of what you can expect after the surgery. Here are some conditions that can be improved with the help of the Blepharoplasty procedure.

Wrinkles on the lower eyelids and excess saggy skin under the lower lids. This requires surgery to be performed only on the lower lids.
Under-eye puffiness or bags can be eliminated with blepharoplasty.
Many people have droopy eyelids that often occur with age and this condition can expose the white portion of the eye and this can be improved with eyelid surgery.
Puffiness can also occur due to fat deposits on the upper eyelids, which can be removed with this surgery.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Cost | Fairfax | Northern Virginia

Posted on May 16, 2014 by admindrv

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is mainly done for cosmetic purposes but in many cases, people undergo eyelid surgery is used to correct congenital disorders and symptoms like weakened eyelids. In the expert and able hands of Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen, the level of risks drop dramatically. This is why Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen is so popular in places where he offers eyelid surgery procedures such as in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Warrenton.

Cost of the surgery

Eyelid surgery is one of the less expensive plastic surgery procedures of the face. In the US, the procedure can cost about $2,900 but this also depends on the doctor and hospital that you are being treated at. Anesthesia, post-op procedures, operating facilities and so on can all change the cost of the eyelid surgery procedure. Make sure to ask your doctor for financing options that are available before you can undergo the procedure so that you can be sure of the different options and what is right for you.

In most cases, your bill for your eyelid surgery procedure will include the surgeon or doctor’s fee, hospital or clinic charges for the facilities provided, cost of medications and prescriptions, fees for anesthesia administered and the cost of carious medical tests. Be aware that most insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures so you need to be prepared to shell out the money yourself.

Before you can get on with blepharoplasty, you need to know the risks associated with it. The surgery is invasive and does cost quite a bit of money – especially without insurance, and knowing the risks will help you better prepare.

Risks with blepharoplasty

All good plastic surgeons like Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen will explain the risks of the surgery beforehand so that you can make an informed decision. First and foremost, there is always a risk of infection at the site of the surgery. Other possible complication includes scarring, bleeding and even the formation of blood clots. All this can be avoided by having eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty at the hands of a good plastic surgeon. You should keep in mind that scarring can be permanent in some people. A small percentage of the population suffer from keloids and the risk of scarring from eyelid surgery is much higher in such people.

Some people who have had this surgery have also complained of complications like fluid accumulation near the site of surgery, numbness, peculiar sensations on the skin and swelling. Sometimes these side effects can occur but they disappear quickly and leave no lasting effects or these complications can be cured with proper measures suggested by your plastic surgeon.

A very small number of patients have also found that their eyelids have rolled outwards, known as Ectropion, after undergoing eyelid surgery. As with any surgery, complications can also arise from the anaesthesia being used so you need to ensure that you are being assigned the best anaesthesiologist to eliminate such complications.

Contact Us Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts

CHANTILLY:
South Riding Professional Square
25055 Riding Plaza, Suite #140
Chantilly, VA 20152
TEL: 703.327.8200